Kazakhstan Breaks Sugar Export Records but Remains Dependent on Imports

 

Record Growth in Sugar Exports

In the first 11 months of 2024, Kazakhstan exported 126,000 tons of sugar, marking a 13-fold increase compared to the same period last year. This data comes from the Bureau of National Statistics. The surge in exports followed a temporary export ban imposed from June to August 2024 to stabilize the domestic market. After the restrictions were lifted, monthly exports rose to 15,000–21,000 tons.

Key Buyers of Kazakh Sugar

The largest importers of Kazakh sugar accounted for over 80% of total exports:

• Uzbekistan — 101,600 tons (+1600%)

• Tajikistan — 17,600 tons (+300%)

• Afghanistan — 6,100 tons (+200%)

The total export value exceeded $50 million, which is 10 times higher than last year’s figures.

Production Deficit and Import Dependence

Despite record exports, Kazakhstan remains dependent on imported sugar. In 2024, the country imported 373,200 tons, with 92.4% coming from Russia. Other suppliers included Brazil and Belarus. Experts note that a significant portion of Kazakhstan’s sugar exports is actually the re-export of Russian sugar to neighboring countries.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Kazakhstan’s annual sugar consumption is around 550,000 tons, yet domestic production covers only a small fraction of this demand. The primary cause is the lack of sufficient farmland and low sugar beet production, which poses a risk to food security, experts say.

Officials acknowledge that Kazakhstan still cannot fully supply itself with sugar. Due to insufficient cultivation areas and low sugar beet yields, the country is forced to import more than half of its sugar needs. The government sees urgent measures as necessary to boost local production.

New Support Measures for Farmers

To increase self-sufficiency, Kazakhstan is actively developing its sugar industry. In 2024, sugar beet cultivation areas were expanded from 11,000 to 25,000 hectares. Thanks to improved agricultural technology and the use of fertilizers, the country achieved a record harvest of over 1 million tons of sugar beets, which will allow for up to 120,000 tons of sugar production from domestic raw materials.

Authorities assure that support for sugar beet farmers will continue. Subsidies for processed sugar beets have been increased—farmers now receive 25 tenge per kilogram. Additionally, preferential loans and subsidies are provided for the purchase of seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, and irrigation equipment. According to experts, these measures will help Kazakhstan reduce its dependence on imported sugar in the future.

Conclusion

Despite the sharp rise in sugar exports, Kazakhstan remains vulnerable to external supplies. The main issue is the weak raw material base and low sugar beet production volumes. As a result, the country still relies on imports, which poses risks in the event of price fluctuations or supply chain disruptions.

The government is taking steps to increase cultivation areas, expand subsidies, and support processing facilities. However, these efforts are still insufficient to fully replace imports. Kazakhstan will need to continue developing its sugar industry to not only strengthen its position in the global market but also ensure food security at home.